[Roberts served as a private in Co. B, 24th NC Inf.]

Onslow County N C July th 21 1863
Excellency Gov Z B vance
Sir when the this war first broke out
I volunteered in Capt duffeys companey
In the 24 regiment of N C colunteers and
When we where at the camp of instruction
At garysburg i was taken sick and after
A long and lingerin illnes i was sent
Home on a furlough untell my health was
Restorde and i have remaned home ever seance
And my health is no nearer restored than it was
At first and after i had been at home a long
Time i was discharged from the rigment i not
Being eable to return to duty and now a bougt
The first of the preasent month the conscript
Was a going to take me without being examined
In this emeargency i give my name to mag nithercutts
Battalion i went to kinston on the 16th ult and when
I got thare i could not be examind it tuck me
five days to go to kinston and home agane a distance
of thirty five miles and i thought that i never
Should git home agane and now governor i want
If you please to give me a furlough or something of
The kinde to show in order that i may stay at home
untell my health is restored
[page 2]
For i am in a bad s[t]ate of health i am swellde
So that i cannot bare my cloths tight on me
And i feare that i have got the consumtion the
Doctor that atteaned to me said that i was unfit
For duty and never wolde be agane i am now
Cofined to my bed the grater parte of my time
And has been everseance i got home from kinston
And if you will give me a furlough or something
Of the kinde so that i can stay at home untell
I can git well unmolested i sould be ten thousand
Times obliged to you and if i sould git well i am willing
To return to duty i must come to a close beaging
you to excuse bad spealing and writeing
I remain your obedient servant
John L Roberts
PS seand anser to the nichlands post ofice